Cottonwood residents arrested in meth bust

Cottonwood >> Two Cottonwood residents were arrested on methamphetamine charges around 10 a.m. Wednesday after a probation search was conducted at an Oak Hollow Drive home.

Nathan Collin Hale, 49, and Deann Jean O’Banion, 35, were booked into Tehama County Jail for possession of methamphetamine for sale, according to a press release issued Thursday by the Shasta Interagency Narcotic Task Force.

Agents contacted the pair at their home at 16780 Oak Hollow and found large amounts of narcotics and cash, the release said.

This is the third arrest of Hale and O’Banion since April, the release said. In total, the investigations yielded 4.5 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.5 grams of heroin, 2 pistols and $24,386 in cash.

Hale has an extensive criminal history that includes multiple felony convictions, the release said. He faces charges in both Shasta and Tehama counties and, if convicted, faces a prolonged prison sentence.